Travel With Rolando: My Florida National Parks RV Trip Itinerary

 




My Florida National Parks RV Trip Itinerary

📍 Everglades National Park (Shark Valley)

- Near Miami. Tram tours, bike loops, wildlife.

- 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm


📍 Everglades NP – Homestead Entrance (Ernest Coe VC)

- 1 hour south of Shark Valley. Anhinga Trail, Royal Palm, Flamingo.


📍 Biscayne National Park – Elliott Key

- Near Homestead. Boat access only.

- 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/bisc/index.htm


📍 Dry Tortugas National Park – Bush Key

- 70 mi west of Key West. Access via ferry/seaplane from Key West.

- 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm


📍 Big Cypress National Preserve – Ochopee

- North of Everglades. Tamiami Trail. Wildlife & hikes.


📍 De Soto National Memorial – Bradenton

- 3.5 hrs from Big Cypress. Living history, bayfront trails.

- 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/deso/index.htm


📍 Canaveral National Seashore – Titusville

- Beaches, kayaking, rocket launches.

- 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/cana/index.htm


📍 Castillo de San Marcos – St. Augustine

- Oldest masonry fort in continental U.S.

- 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm


📍 Fort Matanzas National Monument

- South of St. Augustine. Free ferry to fort.


📍 Fort Caroline National Memorial – Jacksonville

- Replica of 16th-century French fort.

- 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/timu/learn/historyculture/foca.htm


📍 Timucuan Preserve – Jacksonville

- Trails, wetlands, Kingsley Plantation.

- 🔗 https://www.nps.gov/timu/index.htm


🏕️ Campgrounds Near Each Stop

- Shark Valley: Miami Everglades RV Resort

- Homestead: Long Pine Key Campground

- Biscayne: Elliott Key Campground (boat-only)

- Key West: Boyd’s Key West Campground

- Big Cypress: Midway Campground

- De Soto: Horseshoe Cove RV Resort

- Canaveral: Manatee Hammock Campground

- St. Augustine: Anastasia State Park

- Jacksonville: Little Talbot Island State Park


🗺️ Suggested Route (Split into 3 Google Maps Segments)

- Part 1: Miami → Shark Valley → Homestead → Biscayne → Key West

- Part 2: Key West → Big Cypress → De Soto → Canaveral

- Part 3: Canaveral → Castillo → Matanzas → Fort Caroline → Timucuan


⛽ Fuel Estimate (1,100–1,300 miles @ $3.80/gal)

- 8 mpg: $570–$615 | 10 mpg: $495–$530


🛠 Tips

- Book Dry Tortugas ferry/seaplane early

- Use America the Beautiful Pass ($80)

- Bring breathable clothing (Florida = hot/humid)

- Download: Campendium, iOverlander, Rec.gov, offline Google Maps

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